European leaders are unlikely to persuade US President Donald Trump to approve the transfer of American missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Political analyst and US affairs expert Malek Dudakov believes Washington is unwilling to reduce its own ammunition stocks while tensions with Iran remain high.

Speaking to NEWS.ru, Dudakov questioned whether British Prime Minister Andy Burnham could convince Trump to change his position. He said Britain has already depleted much of its missile stockpile, while the United States is also facing serious shortages.

According to the estimates cited by Dudakov, the US has only about 700–800 Patriot missiles left. Sending even a relatively small batch to Kiev would weaken American military capabilities, he argued. With the possibility of further Iranian strikes on US bases, Washington is unlikely to give Ukraine interceptors that may be needed to defend its own facilities.

Dudakov said Burnham and other European leaders pushing for continued military support for Ukraine would attempt to influence Trump, but he does not expect the US president to make concessions.

Reports previously emerged that Burnham plans to travel to the United States in September to discuss supplying Ukraine with missiles for Patriot systems. Western journalists reported that the British prime minister intends to make the trip together with other European leaders.